Posted on 05/15/2008 5:03:00 PM PDT by ricks_place
An FBI presentation states that China has counterfeited Cisco Systems network routers and may be using the equipment to penetrate U.S. government and private sector computer networks.
Federal authorities in February seized some 400 counterfeit Cisco Systems knockoffs worth $76 million. The equipment included routers, switches, gigabit interface converters and WAN interface cards. Among the purchasers of the fake equipment were the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center, U.S. Naval Undersea Warfare Center, U.S. Air Base at Spangdahelm, Germany, the Bonneville Power Administration, General Services Administration, and the defense contractor Raytheon, which makes key missile and weapons systems.
The FBI briefing slides on the case stated that while there are “intelligence gaps” on why the Chinese made the counterfeit equipment it could have been for profit or as part of a state-sponsored operation. Additionally the scope of the Chinese counterfeit equipment may extend beyond routers to include fake IT equipment such as PCs and printers.
Under a section titled “The Threat,” the FBI described the effort as “IT subversion/supply chain attack” that could “cause immediate or premature system failure during usage.”
The counterfeit equipment also could be used to “gain access to otherwise secure systems” and to “weaken cryptographic systems.”
The briefing slide said the Chinese information warfare efforts require “intimate access to target systems.”
And all those folks on here who don’t see a problem with critical materials being made in other countries..
Our military isnt the only target. Corporate secrets are also high on the list.
Interesting.
“Time to let American hackers pop the Chinese security bubble and make totally free (as in speech) Internet access available to the people.”
I’m sure the Chinese would sue.
“We would see a lot of painful change take place in that country.”
They would file suit against the US and would just kill all the disgruntled natives.
Even common electronic toys purchased at Walmart could contain factory installed espionage oriented data collection and reporting devices.
I wish they would stop with the email spam and and other BS first.
Yes. As far as I am concerned, there should never be any foreign bidding on contracts to fill our military needs.
If we cannot make a given component, we should find ways to remedy that.
Am I being protectionist? Yes. When it comes to the Military. I understand we should have the best for our military personnel, but I believe we can find ways to do that without having to give our adversaries unfettered access to our technology.
Just my opinion.
All of you free trade freaks should take notice.
Yeah like so many lop sided things with China they don’t prosecute hackers of American networks and even promote it. Maybe its time to return the favor.
A relative, a CiscoCertNetPro, says they’re constantly hit by chinese hackers.
$76 million / 400 = 190,000 per unit. Somehow I doubt that if it is routers, but then again, I have never purchased an industrial sized router for a government agency, either.
What??? - are you telling me that China not only counterfeits Prada, Coach, Bobbi Brown cosmetic brushes, prescription drugs etc. - but now Cisco routers too?? I am completely shocked!! ;)
At one time you could take the model number, multiply it by three and come up with the approximate cost of the unit, licenses and additional cards excluded.
“I wish they would stop with the email spam and and other BS first. “
The majority of spam doesn’t come from within the US.
Freakin Fat Bastard Ping
“$76 million / 400 = 190,000 per unit. Somehow I doubt that if it is routers, but then again, I have never purchased an industrial sized router for a government agency, either.”
It does sound high especially at the rates the govt pays for cisco gear. However some high end routers, firewalls, switches can easily be that much.
SOON... 
Cyber Warfare Center,,,Barksdale,AFB...;0) 
Man our people are idiots for not checking this crap more closely, given where it is being used.
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